Lawmakers, teens debate secondhand smoke bill

Published 7:36 pm, Wednesday, February 20, 2013

HARTFORD -- Sixteen year old Justine Kavadas of East Hartford can't understand why adults can smoke when young children are in the car.

"The secondhand smoke can cause harm to them. It's worse for children because they are still developing," Kavadas said, noting that drivers can't use cell phones while navigating roads.

Kavadas was one of three teenagers who came to the state Capitol on Wednesday to testify in support of a bill that would ban smoking in a vehicle transporting a child 6 years old or younger and who weighs less than 60 pounds.

"It's just cruel," said Adden Abbatemarco, a diminutive 13-year-old from Mansfield. Her friend, Heather Abdullah, also 13, and from Mansfield, nodded in agreement and offered similar thoughts.

In fact, the three teens stole the show as the adults on the General Assembly's normally stoic transportation committee looked on from their elevated desks. All three urged lawmakers to at least give small children a smoke-free environment when they are in a car.

"What's more important than saving a life?" Abbatemarco asked.

But some of the adults on the committee had a problem with the proposed bill, namely how far should government go in regulating what happens in private spaces, like a home or car. Smoking is already prohibited in public spaces, such as bars, restaurants and government buildings.

"I hate smoking. It bothers me and I wish I could prohibit it everywhere," said state Rep. Claire Janowski, D-Rockville.

"But there is a point about public and private spaces," Janowski said. "I would say a car would be a private space. I don't think there is any way to enforce this,"

Supporters said the proposed bill is no different than current bans on driving and talking on a cell phone or texting.

"The purpose is to educate the public," said state Rep. Henry Genga, D-East Hartford and a sponsor.

"This is about the protection of children. The amount of smoke in a car is above that in a bar, yet smoking is banned in a bar," said Genga, who said studies show that secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for young children.

"I don't think you need to convince anyone that this is an issue," said Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton.

"But how do we legislate parental responsibility?" Boucher said. "Will you support banning smoking in a home? Is a car an extension of a person's home? Is government reaching too far? I'd like to be convinced this is something that can pass."

Genga said lawmakers shouldn't worry about private and public spaces, explaining that the bill piggybacks on current law requiring that young children be placed in child restraint seats.

A warning would first be issued to drivers and a minor fine levied for second offenses, and infractions would not cost points on a license, he said.

"I'm a co-sponsor and a convert," said state Sen. Andrew Maynard, D-Stonington. "I have worried about a nanny state government. But this is the right thing for us to do and it's a measured response."